Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, but for those who served it’s an integral part of who they are every day of the year. On Sunday, Sept. 20, more than 100 veterans gathered for a day of fishing, camaraderie and appreciation as Hampton Watercraft & Marine hosted its ninth annual “Take a Veteran Fishing” tournament.
Among the participants was John Burnett, an 80-year-old Vietnam veteran, for whom the day carried special meaning. A passionate fisherman, he describes the experience as a wonderful opportunity to enjoy his passion for fishing while receiving a heartfelt show of appreciation for his military service. It’s also a day to keep close the memory of his brother, who was fatally shot in Vietnam. “Fishing is my passion,” Burnett says. “The trip was fantastic.”
“Our goal is about more than fishing,” says Tony Villareale, president and founder of Hampton Watercraft & Marine. “It’s about giving a little something back to those who fought for the freedoms we all enjoy today and fostering camaraderie between the veterans and captains.”
For veterans like Burnett, that recognition carries particular significance. He recalls that when American troops returned home from Vietnam, they were not always welcomed with appreciation or gratitude.“When the troops got back from Vietnam, it was not a happy time,” Burnett recalls. “To get a little recognition is wonderful.”
The day began with breakfast and the Pledge of Allegiance before the boats headed out for four hours of fishing and, later in the afternoon, a barbecue luncheon and awards ceremony.
For Burnett and his compatriots, they return the acknowledgement of their service to the event’s organizer, Ronnie Kelly, chief financial officer of Hampton Watercraft & Marine, along with the company’s staff and volunteers, for making sure the veterans had everything they needed, from boats and fishing poles to bait for fish and sustenance for themselves.
“They provided everything,” he says. “It was a nice thank you for the vets for fighting for our freedom.” Burnett even went home with a prize, winning a fishing pole for catching the biggest sea robin of the tournament.
Twenty-nine volunteer captains generously contributed their vessels, fishing equipment, time, and expertise. Paired with participating veterans, the captains enjoyed a day of fishing, catching seven different species of fish. Many of the captains and veterans return year after year, forming lasting bonds and a strong sense of community.
While the tournament celebrates a shared passion for fishing, its greatest rewards may be the friendships forged, the memories made and the opportunity to remind our veterans that their service and sacrifices are never taken for granted.
You, too, can show your appreciation by taking part in the many parades and events happening throughout the Hamptons this week, honoring those who have served our country and fought for our freedom.
Montauk
Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation will honor Veterans at their annual flag ceremony on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Suzanne Koch Gosman Flagpole Garden at the Montauk Playhouse Community Center (20 Edgemere St.) and will feature a flag raising and wreath-laying ceremony conducted by Girl Scout Troop 825. Local student and singer Faith Mulally will perform the national anthem, and Collin Snovell, station chief of U.S. Coast Guard Station Montauk, will offer remarks. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony, and the event is rain or shine.
“This will be my first Veterans Day ceremony as the associate director at the Montauk Playhouse,” Ellen Dioguardi says. “I’m really looking forward to being part of such a meaningful tradition. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together to honor and thank those who have served our country — and I love that this tradition includes scout troops and Coast Guard members and Faith Mullaly again this year singing the National Anthem. It’s very Montauk and I’m looking forward to it.”
East Hampton
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 550 will hold its annual Veterans Day Parade at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, kicking off at the old VFW building on Main Street in East Hampton Village and ending at the Memorial Green, where a short ceremony will take place. Afterward, all participants are invited to go to the American Legion Post 419 in Amagansett (15 Montauk Highway) for its 11 a.m. ceremony.
John M. Marshall Elementary School (3 Gingerbread Lane) will host its annual Veterans Day tribute and celebration on Friday, Nov. 6., kicking off with a light breakfast at 8 a.m. The celebration begins at 9:00 a.m. in the school gymnasium and will feature student performances, artwork, and expressions of gratitude for those who have served our country.
Sag Harbor
In Sag Harbor Village, the Veterans Day Parade will begin at the Civil War Monument at 10 a.m. on Nov. 11. The Memorial is a historic landmark located in a small triangular grassy area at the intersection of Main and Madison streets, which was formally dedicated in Oct. 1896. Veterans, friends, family and other members of the community will march down Main Street and end the parade at the Chelberg & Battle American Legion Post 388 at 26 Bay St., where folks will be invited in for light refreshments. Guests can also enjoy the posts exhibition room, which showcases uniforms, weapons, medals and other historic military artifacts across major American wars and even a mural commemorating Sag Harbor’s rich history and veterans. Participating Veterans should meet at the American Legion at 9:30 a.m. before the parade.
On Sunday, Nov. 15, the Sag Harbor Cinema is presenting an edition of the Lighthouse Project, a year-round film and discussion series dedicated to mental health awareness, advocacy and action. The free film program begins at 11 a.m., followed by an expert-led panel discussion at 1:30 p.m. exploring the lasting psychological impact of military service and the importance of community support for veterans and their families. Light bites and refreshments will be served during the discussion.
“The Lighthouse Project offers an opportunity to better understand experiences different from our own,” says Mark Lubell, executive director of Sag Harbor Cinema. “We are grateful to the veterans and mental health professionals whose perspectives continue the conversation beyond the screen.”
The Lighthouse Project was founded by two Sag Harbor Cinema Board Members: education chair Bill Collage and Dr. Diana Diamond, a member of the education committee, and led by Dr. Meghan McGinley Arnone, director of education and grants management at Sag Harbor Cinema.
The films were chosen for their impact on veterans and forging understanding among those who have not served. The panel discussion that follows will feature Dr. Desiree Romaguera, PsyD, director of the Unified Behavioral Health Center for Military Veterans and Their Families at North well Health, and Benjamin Fischer, a U.S.Army veteran who served two combat tours in Iraq and also serves as a Resiliency Trainer with Brothers at War and Brothers After War. James “Jimbo” Theinert, president and facilitator of Strongpoint Theinert Ranch and a Gold Star Brother, will moderate the conversation, which will include an opportunity for audience questions.
In the feature film Leave No Trace (2018), director Debra Granik follows Will played by Ben Foster, an Iraq War veteran living with post-traumatic stress disorder, and his teenage daughter, Tom played by Thomasin McKenzie, who have made a home in the forests of Oregon. When their secluded life is discovered, they must navigate a return to society while confronting the challenges of adapting to a world from which they have withdrawn.
“Leave No Trace is a thought-provoking film that portrays an example of how PTSD can affect a veteran’s life,” says Fischer. “While every veteran’s experience is different, the transition from military to civilian life can present challenges that aren’t always visible.”
In the short video Bearing Witness (2026), veterans participating in the June 2026 STR 37 program organized by Shelter Island-based nonprofit Strongpoint Theinert Ranch take part in a retreat structured around shared activities, including a service project. The film captures their reflections on military service and mental health, as well as the connections formed through their experiences together. The ranch was founded and named for 1st Lieutenant Joseph “Joey” Theinert, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in June 2010.
“The transition out of service can be challenging when veterans must shift their focus from a larger mission to themselves,” says Jimbo, younger brother of Joey. “Programs like Strongpoint Theinert Ranch leverage veterans’ familiarity with military training while encouraging them to turn their focus inward. The shared bond of military service creates an environment where veterans can openly discuss challenges, exchange strategies, and support one another.”
“Unresolved trauma can profoundly alter our relationship with ourselves and the world around us,” says Romaguera. “Bearing Witness shows us how emotional processing and leaning into connection can make a world of difference on the healing journey. Together, the films help us reconsider the delicate balance between protection and freedom.”
Registration is required for this free community program as seating is limited. Reserve a spot in advance here to attend the films and/or the panel discussion.
Bridgehampton
The Bridgehampton Museum and USA Warrior Stories present the exhibition East End Veteran Voices, featuring original artwork, photographs, video interviews and memorabilia from U.S. military veterans with ties to the East End on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Nathaniel Rogers House (2539 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton) from 5 to 7 p.m.
For nearly a decade, USA Warrior Stories co-founders Matt Hindra and Nick Kraus have recorded and shared the personal stories of U.S. military veterans. Each story is presented as a short documentary honoring an individual’s service through their own words, photographs, personal keepsakes, citations and awards. The organization also highlights original artwork created by veterans who use artistic expression to help process their experiences and cope with the lasting effects of military service, including PTSD.
East End Veterans Voices brings together original artwork by veterans John Melillo, Lisha Terry, Angelique Williams and Carrie-Anne Gonzalez; photographs and mementos from local veterans Arthur Muller, George Drago, Joe Giannini, Martin Sylvester, John Fenech, Francis Gabreski and Ron Campsey; and video clips from the USA Warrior Stories archive. The exhibition also offers local veterans an opportunity to have their own stories recorded and preserved for future generations. Veterans, families, and community members are all welcome. Learn more about USA Warrior Stories here.
Southampton
The Southampton Veterans Day parade steps off from the Southampton Presbyterian Church and proceeds down Jobs Lane to Agwam Park at 10:45 a.m. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. at the World War I Memorial at Agwam Park to honor the courageous men and women who have fought for freedom. The parade is presented by the organizers of the Southampton Fourth of July Parade, with Thea Dombrowski-Fry as coordinator.
The Suffolk County Veterans Resource Fair takes place at the Southampton Village Veterans Memorial Hall (25 Pond Lane, Southampton) on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, hosted by Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker in partnership with Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger, Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore, Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency and Long Island Cares Veterans Outreach, aims to teach about services and benefits available to veterans. Welcoming remarks begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by presentations from retired Chief Master Sergeant Marcelle Leis, director of the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency, and retired United States Marine Corps Colonel James C. Brennan, deputy director of Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency.
On Sunday, Nov. 8, Southampton Arts Center (25 Jobs Lane) will host a program entitled Honoring Veterans by Sharing Their Stories, a project that records and preserves veterans’ accounts of their service. The program runs from 3 to 5 p.m. and features three short documentaries from the USA Warrior Archive, each built around one local veteran: Arthur Muller, who served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945, John Melillo, who served in the Army from 1970 to1972 and Susan E. Soto who served in the Air Force from 1982 to 1992.
After the screenings, Soto and Melillo will take questions along with Sandy Raynor, Arthur Muller’s daughter. The conversation will be moderated by Matt Hindra and Nick Kraus, the founders of USA Warrior Stories. Admission is free, but pre-registration is recommended; grab your spot here.
Shelter Island
There will be a Veterans Day ceremony on Shelter Island in front of the Community Center/American Legion, Mitchell Post 281 (1 Bateman Road) at 11:00 AM on Nov. 11. A joint Veteran’s Day dinner with the Greenport American Legion will be at the Greenport Legion (102 3rd St., Greenport) at 5:00 p.m. Doors open at 4:00 p.m.; tickets are $20 for non-veterans; veterans dine for free.
Hampton Bays
Hamptons Bays Veterans Day ceremony will take place at the American Legion Hand-Aldrich Post 924 on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at its headquarters (55 Ponquogue Ave.). The guest speaker will be Lieutenant Commander Robert Scribnor, a decorated U.S. Navy veteran. Those attending are asked to be seated by 10:30 a.m. so the ceremony may start on time. Refreshments and snacks will be served afterward, during which the winning ticket in the 50/50 raffle will be drawn.
